Students pump weights to improve their facility Lifting for a cause

December 21, 2005|D.L. PERRIN Tribune Correspondent

The walls are grimy and in need of repair; the cement floor of the weight room is grungy and pitted. This room, like so many others in the aging White Pigeon High School, is in need of repair and restoration. But there is no money for such improvements. Jason Vogel, the new English teacher and a football coach, suggested a fundraising event to the student athletes who use the weight room regularly. "The kids were really enthusiastic. So far they have brought in $2,500," explained Vogel, as he lined up the students so they could take their turn pressing weights to match pledges. The event was called a "Weight-A-Thon.'' The money will go to repair the floor and walls plus buy two new lifting benches and a squat rack and other equipment as needed. There were 60 students pledged to enter the recent event. "The minimum pledge was $10 and with a $40 pledge they also get a T-shirt that the kids still have to design," Vogel added. "After we get going today, I will bring in some pizza and a movie for the kids while they wait their turn." Not waiting for a turn, Mekayla Diehl, a 16-year-old junior, got on the bench and reached for the bare barbell. "I'm only kidding," she giggled. "I just collected pledges; I'm not doing any real lifting. This is a good cause, and I play volleyball and basketball so I use the weight room sometimes and it needs a new floor badly." Mekayla wasn't serious about a bench press but others were ready to lift. Devon Allinger, a 17-year-old junior, said he collected pledges because they need the equipment. As he spotted for 18- year-old Carl Craigo he said, "I think raising all this money and fixing up the room ourselves shows how much we care about improving our school."